Tape controlling arrangement



July 23, 1940.

Original Filed De'c. 13, 1935 D. F. NEWMAN TAPE CONTROLLING ARRANGEMENT2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV lhwid lllvwman, BY

ENTOR q. 0 EYS July 23, 1940. D. F. NEWMAN 2,208,946

TAPE CONTROLLING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed Dec. 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet2 PROJECTION g 14 FIELD INVENTOR Dal lid Newman ATTOR N EYS PatentedJuly 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE signor to Trans-Luz tion ofDelaware Corporation, a corpora- Application December 13, 1935, SerialNo 54,261

'Rcrcwed December 15, 1939 5 Claims.

My invention relates to arrangements for controlling acharacter-:bearing tape for movement through a projection field.

My invention has particular reference to an arrangement wherein theaforesaid tape is moved through the projection field in response tooperation of a suitable motor, the latter being controlled -by a movabledevice engaging the tape adjacent the entrance to the projection fieldand said movable device constantly gripping the tape so as to preventtransmission into the projection field of tape vibrations such, forexample, as those produced by the mechanism which prints the tapecharacters.

Further objects, advantagesand features of my invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the tape-controlling arrangements, features,combinations and arrangements of parts of the character hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and 'for an illustration of some ofthe forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a tapecontrolling arrangement asconstructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, showing the arrangement of Fig. 1with some of the parts in different positions, respectively, and withother parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a tape-gripping device asconstructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the deviceshown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevational view showing a modifiedform of tape-gripping device;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the deviceshown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a schematic, view of another tapecontrolling arrangement asconstructed in accordance with my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, P represents a suitable printingdevice such, for example, as a ticker mechanism of the type which printscharacters representative of stock quotations lengthwise on a narrowtape T, such tape being opaque if desired although, as herein shown,said tape T is formed from transparent or translucent material such asis suitable for through projeetion. The ticker mechanism P may be of aconventional type and, if so, a roll I of the tape T is provided, a pairof spaced rollers 2, 2a feeding and ejecting the tape T from the tickermechanism in a direction from left to right, Figs. 1 and 2, theserollers moving the tape along a path disposed closely adjacent the typewheel 3 with which the usual .platen or hammer 4 coacts to effect theprinting operation, the tape T finally engaging and passing over theguide surface 5 and then passing beyond the housing 6 of the tickermechanism, this housing 6, if desired, being mounted upon any suitablesupport 1.

After the tape T leaves the ticker mechanism P, it is drawn through asuitable projection device A whereby images of the tape characters areprojected onto any suitable screen, not shown. The projection device Amay be of conventional form if desired, and, as herein shown, saiddevice A comprises a rear lamp housing 8 and a front lens housing 9, theprojection light beam being produced 'by a source of light, not shown,and said projecting light beam, in suitable manner, being caused to passupwardly through a condensing lens l0 disposed at the top of the lenshousing 9, Fig. 2, then through the projection field which, as hereinshown although not necessarily, is defined by an open rectangularaperture formed at the top of the supplementary housing 9. After theprojecting light beam leaves said tape section at the aforesaidprojection aperture, it travels vertically through the objective lens atl l andthen, usually, passes into engagement with one or more mirrorsbefore engaging the proje'ction screen, not shown. It will be understoodthat the means defining the projection field may be omitted, if desired.If so, the projection field may be considered in its optical sense as inthe plane which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of theobjective lens II, this plane being in focus with said objective lens.

The tape T may be pulled or drawn through the projection field in anysuitable manner. Thus, for example, said tape T may be passed beneath'aroll I2 or other guiding surface, the latter being positioned at orbelow the horizontal plane of the aforesaid rectangular aperture .at thetop of the housing 9. Thereafter, the tape T passes over a pulling rolll-3'with the upper surface of which said tape is held in engagement byan idler roll I mounted on a lever IS, the latter being biased in aclockwise direction, Fig. 1, by a suitable spring i6. After the tapepuses beyond-the pulling roll l3, it preferably engages a guidingsurface such as an idler roll I! and then passes upwardly to a suitablereel l8.

The aforesaid pulling roll l3 may be operated in any suitable manner.Thus, for example, as indicated in Fig. 1, the operating shaft for saidpulling roll |3 carries a suitable pinion IS with which an endlesssprocket chain 2|) engages, this chain being operated by a pinion 2|which is rotated at suitable speed by an electric motor 22.

As-herein shown although not necessarily, the above described rolls i2,l3, l4, l1, the reel i8 and associated parts are carried by a supportingbracket 23 which, if desired, may be secured in suitable manner to theaforesaid housing 8.

The reel [8 serves in the customary manner for the reception of the tapewhich is wound thereupon. This reel |8 may be operated in any suitablemanner and, to this end, an endless spring belt may be engaged withpulleys carried, respectively, by the shaft of said reel |8 and thecommon shaft for the roller l3 and pinion l9. Therefore, as will readilybe understood by those skilled in the art, the motor 22 furnishes powerfor operating the reel l8.

As herein illustrated, the tape loop formed between the printingmechanism P and the prolection device A is utilized for the purpose ofcontrolling operation of the tape-pulling motor 22. To this end, in theexample shown, there is provided a metallic bracket 24 which is suitablysecured, for example, to the lamp housing 8. Carried by and fixed to thebracket 24 is an insulating member 25 which supports an electricalterminal 26, this terminal comprising a contact member 26a disposed onthe upper face of said insulating member 25, the terminal 26 beinginsulated from the bracket 24 by the insulating sleeve 25a, Fig. 4.Disposed adjacent the fixed insulating member 25 is a movable insulatingmember 21 pivoted at 23 on an upper extension of the bracket 24. Theinsulating member 21 carries an electrical terminal 29 terminating in alower contact member 29a coactable with the aforsaid contact member 26a.As will readily be understood, the member 21 insulates the terminal 26and its con-tact member 29a from the bracket 24.

Suitably secured to the free end of the insulating member 21, as by abolt 30, is an angular structure 3| which comprises a depending member3|a terminating, at its lower end, in a channel section 3|b in which aroller 32 is mounted for free rotatable movement on a horizontal axisdefined by a supporting pin 33. As shown, the interior transversedimension of the channel section 3|b is slightly greater than the widthof the tape T and, in generally the same manner, the length of theroller 32 is substantially the same as the tape width. Coactable withthe roller 32 is a second roller 34 mounted for free rotatable movementon a horizontal axis defined by a pin 35 having a bearing at the lowerend of a lever 36 which is pivoted at 31 on an upper section of theaforesaid member 3|a, the lever 36 being suitably biased in a clockwisedirection, as by the leaf spring 38, one end of which is suitably fixedto said member 3| at 39.

As appears from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2, the above describedinsulating member 21, structure 3| and associated parts form a. leverarrangement which is controlled by the tape, said lever arrangement, inturn, c0ntrolling operation of the motor 22. To this end, one side of asuitable source of electrical current, not shown, is connected to aconductor 40 which leads to the aforesaid terminal 29 of the movableinsulating member 21. Connected to the ter minal 25 of the fixedinsulating member 25 is a conductor 4| which leads to one terminal ofthe motor 22, the other terminal of which has connected thereto aconductor 42 which preferably includes a variable resistance 43. saidconductor 42 leading back to the aforesaid source of electrical current.

In accordance with the invention, the rollers 32 and 34 are disposed inthe path of the tape T as the latter emerges from the ticker mechanismP, said rollers 32 and 34 having their longitudinal axes disposedsubstantially at right angles to the path of the tape. As shown in Figs.1-4 inclusive, the tape T is adapted to rest upon the upper surface ofthe roller 32 and, when said tape is to be thus disposed, the lever 36may be swung aside in a counterclockwise direction, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, topermit entry of the tape within the channel section 3|b so that it canbe seated upon the' roller 32. As soon as the foregoing has beenaccomplished, the lever may be released so that it returns to theposition shown on the drawings under the influence of the spring 38.

As illustrated, the length of the lever-.36 is such that the roller 34engages the roller 32 slightly below the top and at one side thereof.Accordingly, as will be understood, rotation of the rollers 32 and 34 isfrictionally impeded to some extent and, therefore, said rollers serveto grip the tape for the useful purpose hereinafter noted.

When the various parts of the disclosed apparatus are positioned asillustrated in Fig. 1, the tape loop is relatively short and,accordingly, the lever arrangement comprising the insulating member 21and angular structure 3| is held by the tape in such elevated positionthat the contact members 26a, 29a are open whereby the op eratingcircuit of the motor 22 is open.. Therefore, under these conditions, themotor 22 is nonoperative and the tape T remains stationary in theprojection field.

When operation of the ticker mechanism P is initiated, the tape T isejected therefrom in the usual manner and, as a result, the leverarrangement comprising the insulating member 21 and angular structure 3|descends under the influence of gravity until the contact member 29acomes into engagement with the contact member 26a. When this occurs, thecircuit through the motor 22 is closed and, as a result, the pullingroll I. is rotated in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, to cause the tape Tto be drawn through its projection field. This operation continues aslong as the ticker mechanism P ejects the tape at a rate sufiicientlyfast to maintain the tape loop long enough to permit the contact members2641 and 29a to remain in engagement. When operation of the tickermechanism P is discontinued, the motor 22 continues to pull the tapeuntil the tape loop is shortened sufficiently to cause the aforesaidlever arrangement to be moved into substantially the position shown inFig. 1. When this occurs, the circuit of the motor 22 is opened and thetape-pulling operation is discontinued.

It is well understood in the art that ticker tape of the characterherein discussed is ejected from ticker mechanism such as the printingdevice P in a pulsating, jerky manner. Further, if the projectionoperation is to proceed in a satisfactory manner, it is understood thatsuch jerky movements should not be present in any tape section while thelatter is in the projection field.

An arrangement of the character described above is highly advantageousin use because the prevent the transmission into the projection field ofpulsations which, if present therein, would produce irregular, jerkytape movementssuch as would cause the projection of the tape characterimages to be objectionable. Furthermor'epthe rollers 32 and 34 functionto apply a braking or dragging effect to the tape and, therefore, thepulling roller I l maintains the tapetaut as it extendsacross or throughthe projection field.

Accordingly, with an arrangement of the charsultant projection,therefore, is highly satisfactory, this. result being attained eventhough there is no means between the rollers 32, I4 and the projectionfield for applying a retarding force to the tape.

As clearly appears, the contact members 25a, 25a form a mechanical stopwhich prevents further movement of the lever arrangement comprising theinsulating member 25 and the angular structure Si in a clockwisedirection beyond the position shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, if the tickermechanism P should eject tape at a rate faster than the tape is drawnthrough the projection field by the motor 22, a slack tape setion such,for example, as shown at S, Fig. 2, would be formed between the rollers32, 34 and the ticker mechanism P. -However, due to the presence andfunction of said rollers 32, 34 this slack tape section S is confinedsubstantially to the position illustrated in Fig.2 and, accordingly, thetape section in the projection field remains taut so as to insuresatisfactory projection of the character images. As will readily beunderstood, if operation of the ticker mechanism P is discontinued,while a slack tape section 8 is in existence, the motor 22 continues topull the tape through the projection field until said slack has beenremoved and the tape loop shortened sufiiciently to separate the contactmembers 26a, 29a.

In operation, the motor 22 should pull tape through the projection fieldat a rate slightly faster than the rate at whichtape is ejected from theticker mechanism P. When the contact i members 25a, 29a come intoengagement to start the motor 22, further movement of the aforesaidlever arrangement comprising the insulating member 21 and angularstructure 3| in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, is discontinued. However,a short interval of time elapses after engagement of said contactmembers 25a, 29a before full With all lever arrangements, or equivalent,a

stop of some character should be provided to limit descending movementthereof. However, a stop is not absolutely necessary since, dependingupon the position of the pivot for the lever, for example, the leverarrangement may befree from any control by a stop or the like. Even so,the roller arrangement 32, 34 of my invention, or the equivalentthereof, operates in a satisfactory manner to prevent the establishmentin the projection field of jerky movements of the tape.

If a stop is used, it shall be understood that the same need notnecessarily be formed by the electrical contact members as disclosedherein. As

, well as disclosed in Fig. :7, there may be provided some stoparrangement, which comes into operation after the control leverhasdescended lower than the position occupied thereby while incircuit-closing position, such circuit being closed, if desired, by amercury switch or the like:

Thus, the invention may be exempllfiedby arrangements which include stopor non-stop devices for the control lever as desired. :-Ineither case, acertain amounti'of slack is formed at times between said controlleverand the, ticker mechanism and, as stated above, it is characteristic ofmy invention that a roller arrangement or the like is provided on thecontrol lever'to prevent such slack in the tape from causingobjectionable tape vibrations in the projection field.

It shah be distinctly understood that my invention is not to be limitedto the use of a roller arrangement such as described above forpreventing transmission of tape vibrations into the projection field.Thus, Figs. 5 and 6 are illustrative of an alternative arrangement whichcomprises the insulating members 25 and 21, the latter having an angularstructure 43 depending therefrom in lieu of the above described angularstructure 3|. This structure 43, at the lower end thereof, terminates ina lateral section 43:! having a vertical passage in which the shank 44aof a member 44 is slidably received, this member being biased in anupward direction by a spring 45. Extending from the structure 42 abovethe lower end thereof is a lateral section 4311 having a fixed dependingrib section 43c centrally disposed with respect to the member 44 whichis disposed therebeneath. Pivoted to the end of the lateral section 43bis a bar 45 having an upper horizontal surface which is engaged by aleaf spring 41 so as to normally remain in vertical position as shown inFig. 6.

As clearly appears, the rib section 43c and the member 44 are curved,preferably in a symmetrical manner and in the direction of tape travel,so that said rib section 43c forms a seat against which the tape is heldby the spring-biased member 44. The lower end of the structure 43 andtransverse distance between said surfaces should be slightly greaterthan the width of the. tape.--

When the bar 46 is swung to a horizontal position against the pressureof spring 4'], the tape T-may readily be threaded between the ribsection 430 and the member 44. In as simple a manner, the bar 46 may bereturned to its vertical position and so held by the spring 41.

As will readily be understood, the member 44, under the influence of thespring 45, holds the tape T- against the fixed rib section 43c.Longitudinal movement of the tape T along its path is frictionallyimpeded, therefore, with the result that the arrangement of Figs. 5 and6 necessarily prevents the passage of tape vibrations into theprojection field.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. '7, a lever 48 ismounted for pivotal movement on a horizontal member 49, said lever 48carrycontact member 54 which is coactable with the aforesaid conductivesegment ll, the contact member 54 having the aforesaid conductor llconnected thereto. A balancing weight 55 may be carried by the lever 40,this weight being so positioned, however, that said lever ll tends toswing in a clockwise direction, Fig. '1.

The lever ll terminates in an angular end "a to which is secured atape-retarding arrangement of any suitable character. For example, saidangular lever end a may carry a supporting frame 56 having a roller 51rotatably mounted thereon. The frame 56 also carries a.

lever I! to which a second roller 58 is rotatably secured, the lever 51and roller 58 being biased in a clockwise direction, Fig. 7, by a spring'59.

It will be understood that the tape T maybe disposed between the rollers51 and" as shown\ in Fig. 7 and that said rollers 51, 58 operate ingenerally the same way as the other tape-re- .tardingarrangements toprevent transmission into the projection field of vibrations which wouldimpair the projection of images. Furthermore, the lever 48 of Fig. '7,with the segment 53 'and the contact member 54, operates in generallythe same manner as hereinbefore described --to control operation of thetape-pulling motor.

. As illustrated, the member 44 and 'the rib section 430 are ofrelatively narrow width. The roller 51, likewwise, is of substantiallythe same narrow width. These parts are given such narrow dimensions forthe following reason: Said parts contact with the top surface of thetape T which, as understood in the art, exhibits two spaced rows ofcharacters extending longitudinally of the tape, and it is necessarythat the contact be with the tape between the two rows of characters ifsmudging is to be prevented.

Although the control operations on the tape T and the tape-pulling motorhas been described in connection with various lever arrangements, itshall be understood that the invention is not to be so limited. As well,for example, such control operations may be eifected by reciprocatorymembers rather than true levers.

While the invention has been described. with respect to certainparticular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art after understanding theinvention, that various. changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intendedtherefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications.

What isclaimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a system of the character described, the combination with aprojection field, tape-pull ing means adjacent the exit end of saidprojection field, a motor for operating said tape-pulling means, amovable device between a printing mechanism and said projection field,tape-gripping means carried by said movable device, said tape-grippingmeans comprising members adapted to engage the respective opposite sidesof the tape, said tape, between said tape-gripping means and saidtape-pulling means being free from any braking effect acting to retardmovement thereof, said members, when the tape is slack in the regionbetween said printing mechanism and said projection field and likewisewhen the tape is taut in said region, cooperating with said tapepullingmeans to hold the tape taut across said projection field andsubstantially prevent transmission into said projection field of tapevibraaaospco tions produced by said printing mechanism, and meanswhereby said movable device controls the operation of said motor.

- 2. In a system-oi the character described, the I combination with aprojection field, tape-pulling means adjacent the exit end of saidprojection field, a motor for operating said tape-pull-- ing means, amovable device between a printing mechanism and said projection field,tapeipping means carried by said movable device, said tape-grippingmeans comprising rollers adapted to engage the respective opposite sidesof the tape, means for biasing one of said rollers toward the otherroller, said tape, between said tape-gripping means and saidtape-pulling means being free from any braking eiIect acting to retardmovement thereof, said rollers, when the tape is slack in the regionbetween said printing mechanism and said projection field and likewisewhen the tape is taut in said region, cooperating with said tape-pullingmeans to hold the tape taut across said projection field andsubstantially prevent transmission into said projection field of tapevibrations produced by said printing mechanism, and means whereby saidmovable device controls the operation of said motor. I

3. In a system of the character described, the combination with aprojection field, tape-pulling means adjacent the exit end of saidprojection field, a motor for operating said tape-pulling means, amovable device between a printing mechanism and said projection field,tapegripping means carried by'said movable device, said tape-grippingmeans comprising members adapted to engage the respective opposite sidesof the, tape, said tape, between said tape-gripping means and saidtape-pulling means being free from any braking effect acting to retardmovement thereof, said members, when the tape is slack in the regionbetween said printing mechanism and said projection field and likewisewhen the tape is taut in said region, cooperating with said tape-pullingmeans to hold the tape taut across said projection field andsubstantially prevent transmission into said projection field of tapevibrations produced by said printing mechanism, and means whereby saidmovable device controls the operation of said motor, said last namedmeans comprising fixed and movable contact members operative, when inengagement, to prevent movement of said movable device.

4. In asystem of the character described, the combination with aprojection field, tape-pulling means adjacent the exit end of saidprojection field, a motor for operating said tape-pulling means, meansforming a control circuit for said motor, a lever disposed at theentrance side of said projection field and extending generally inthe'longitudinal direction thereof, a horizon-, tal member on whichsaidlever is pivoted intermediate the ends thereof, means on that section ofsaid lever which is at the side of said horizontal member toward theprojection field for engaging the top surface of the tape to form a looptherein, and means on that section of said ing means, means forming acontrol circuit for said motor, a lever disposed at the entrance side ofsaid projection field and extending generally in the longitudinaldirection thereof, a horizontal member on which said lever is pivotedintermediate the ends thereof, a member disposed in a vertical plane andhaving an arcuate slot therein, a lateral member carried by said leverand extending into said arcuate slot, means on that section of saidlever which is at the side of said horizontal member toward theprojection held for engaging the top surface of the tape to form a looptherein, and means on that section of said lever which is at the side ofsaid horizontal member remote from said projection held for operatingsaid control circuit.

o DAVID F. NEWMAN.

